"May I ask who you are, Senior?"
"Feihong Sword Sect, Tan Yuan." The old man nodded slightly.
Many in the crowd showed expressions of respect.
The Feihong Sword Sect was quite famous in the Qing State region. Though not on par with the Four Great Clans, it still had several True Gang Realm powerhouses presiding over it.
Although this Elder Tan had not yet entered the True Gang Realm, he was a powerhouse who had been at the Half-Step True Gang level for many years. His judgment naturally carried weight.
Lin Yan’s eyes shifted, and he shook his head slightly.
This subtle movement did not escape Tan Yuan’s notice. Tan Yuan’s gaze swept over, his tone neutral as he asked, "Young friend, do you have a different opinion on my judgment?"
"I wouldn’t dare." Lin Yan clasped his fist. "Senior has a discerning eye. How could this junior presume to comment?"
Lin Yan was polite on the surface, but inwardly, he had a completely different judgment from Tan Yuan.
According to his Perception, Cui Chenzong’s spear techniques seemed ferocious, but in reality, he was holding back with every strike. It wasn’t that he was being suppressed by Zhou Shan’s Saber Technique; rather, Cui Chenzong was probing, waiting.
Besides his Perception, it was also because he had now condensed eleven strands of Perfect Sword Intent.
Although a spear wasn’t a sword, all techniques were connected. If Cui Chenzong were going all out, his Spear Intent would be nothing like what he was currently displaying.
Tan Yuan glanced at Lin Yan but didn’t press the matter.
At that moment, the situation on the ridge changed.
Cui Chenzong thrust his spear, the tip glowing with Dark Red Blood Gang as it shot straight for Zhou Shan’s chest.
This thrust was faster and fiercer than any before. Three streams of Spear Gang, fused with Spear Intent, merged into one, forming a Dark Red pillar of light as thick as an arm. Wherever the spear’s tip passed, the air was torn open, leaving a visible white scar. The ground was plowed into a deep ravine, sending shattered rock flying.
Zhou Shan’s gaze narrowed. The ring of Saber Gang he had drawn in front of him suddenly contracted, shrinking from several feet in diameter to just one foot, becoming as solid as if it were real. He held his saber horizontally before him to block the spear thrust head-on.
The instant the Spear Gang and Saber Gang collided, an earth-shattering BOOM erupted on the ridge.
A shockwave rolled out in all directions like a tsunami. Within a radius of a hundred feet, grass and trees were uprooted, rocks shattered, and dust filled the sky.
Even the crowd at the foot of the mountain, hundreds of feet away, had their robes whipped about by the shockwave, and many were forced to retreat.
When the dust settled, everyone immediately looked toward the ridge. Seeing the outcome of the battle, many couldn’t help but cry out in surprise. Even more of them shot glances toward Tan Yuan.
Zhou Shan had stumbled back three steps, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his mouth. Although he had blocked Cui Chenzong’s spear thrust, he was injured.
The duel was decided.
Cui Chenzong retracted his spear, gave Zhou Shan a deep look, then turned and walked away, weapon in hand.
Zhou Shan slowly sheathed his long saber. His expression was calm as he, too, descended the mountain from the other side.
Tan Yuan’s expression stiffened slightly. He could feel the gazes from the crowd landing on him, and his old face burned with shame.
’I’ve been made a fool of.’
Lin Yan had no desire to stick around and watch Tan Yuan’s humiliation. After the two combatants descended the mountain, he mounted his horse and continued on his way.
When Tan Yuan had first questioned him, a thought had crossed his mind: ’Should I fleece the Feihong Sword Sect again and make a bet with this Elder Tan?’
He was still a little regretful that he hadn’t managed to fleece Zhou Jin last time.
But on second thought, Lin Yan ultimately decided against it.
This Elder Tan wouldn’t necessarily be willing to bet a Top-grade Swordsmanship manual.
Besides, there were too many people here. News of his bet would surely spread throughout all of Qing State.
Lin Yan of the Lin Family’s younger generation had a better eye than an Elder from the Feihong Sword Sect who had been at the Half-Step True Gang level for years.
If that got out, it would attract too much attention.
Of course, Lin Yan wasn’t afraid of the attention. He was afraid that if he revealed his sharp eye and Elder Tan refused to bet, it just wouldn’t be worth it.
’If there’s a benefit, I don’t mind the attention.’
’But if there’s no benefit, I’ll definitely stay out of the spotlight. Anyone who wants it can have it.’
This was Lin Yan’s guiding principle in Martial Arts: he had no use for empty fame.
Putting the matter of Elder Tan behind him, Lin Yan spurred his horse into a gallop, replaying the flashes of the spear and saber in his mind.
’They really were strong.’
’But I feel like I could fight them. At least, the aura of their exchange didn’t make me feel like I was completely outmatched.’
’However, according to the booklet I got from Qingfeng Stockade, neither Cui Chenzong nor Zhou Shan is the strongest of the younger generation in the Cui and Zhou Families. They are merely among the top three.’
’In that case, if I had to face the top three from the other great clans, my chances of winning would be slim. Dealing with the strongest from those three families is a job for Brother Song and the most powerful of all, Brother Mingya.’
’Slim chance of victory.’
’And if my chances aren’t ninety-nine percent, that’s as good as a loss.’
「Lin Mansion.」
The moment Lin Yan set foot in the mansion, before he could even enter the Third Branch’s area, he was spotted by Lin Mingye, who was heading his way.
"Lin Yan, hurry up and go to the newcomer’s competition!"
Lin Mingye grabbed Lin Yan’s arm and tried to drag him toward the Combat Platform, but he couldn’t move him.
Lin Yan stood as still as a mountain, not moving an inch.
"Wait a minute. I thought the newcomer’s competition hadn’t started yet?"
"The competition was moved up. There are only a handful of people in our clan who’ve reached the Blood Exchange Realm in the last two years, so it’s not that formal. Most of them have already fought, except for you. Right now, Lin Mingyue from the Second Branch is in first place. All you have to do is beat Lin Mingyue, and the title of number one newcomer is yours."
’Is it really that casual?’
Lin Yan was speechless. He thought there would be a lottery drawing, followed by a series of matches that would take at least three to five days to decide a winner.
"Let’s go. Everyone who’s supposed to compete has competed. We can’t all wait another day or two for you, can we?"

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